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Water Quality - Chemistry and Microbiology
Code
SE-CMI1
Version
6.0
Offered by
Supply Engineering
ECTS
5
Prerequisites
SE/CE-SCI1 or similar.
Main purpose
For the student to obtain a background in basic chemistry and microbiology related to water quality which can be applied in the fields of drinking water, wastewater, district heating and climate adaptation.
Knowledge
After completing the course, the student will be able to understand and use the following basic chemistry and microbiological terms and methods:
- Describe and differentiate the different types of chemical bonds and intermolecular forces, give specific examples of chemical compounds for each type, and give specific examples on how these can influence the water quality and can be applied in the water treatment, including ion exchange, freezing point depressions.
- Describe and differentiate various aspects of aqueous solutions relevant for water quality with respect to drinking water, wastewater, district heating and climate adaptation, including coagulation, flocculation, and chemical precipitation.
- Explain chemical equilibrium and carry out calculations with the Law of Mass Action
- Explain and describe acids, bases, and buffers and use the calculation of pH in aqueous solutions with relevance for water treatment and water quality
- Describe basic chemistry of gas in water with relevance for the water treatment and water quality, including dissolved oxygen and oxygen demand
- Calculate oxidation numbers and balance redox reactions with relevance for corrosion, water treatment and water quality.
- Describe the structure of basic organic molecules including ATP and DNA
- Describe the taxonomic classification system of microorganisms and name common bacteria
- List different types of microorganisms and describe the general cell structure of bacteria and eukaryotes
- Explain the bacterial growth phases and calculate bacterial growth rates
- Explain AOC, BDOC, biological stability and after growth in relation to water quality
- Describe the application of disinfection strategies for microorganisms (e.g., heat, chlorination, UV)
- Describe the most important microbiological processes in drinking water and wastewater treatment (nitrification, denitrification, degradation of organic matter, etc.) and give examples of the involved bacteria
- Describe the structure, development, and function of biofilms in water systems
Skills
After completing the course, the student will be able to:
- Apply basic chemical and microbiological methods to address water quality issues related to processes of drinking water, wastewater, district heating and climate adaptations
- Compare and evaluate water quality parameters for water samples
- Evaluate the principles and application of various methods for chemical analyses of water samples (e.g., spectrophotometry, nepholometry, electrochemical methods)
- Compare and evaluate the application of culture-based (e.g., HPC), enzymatic (e.g., ATP) and molecular biology (e.g. PCR) methods for water quality analysis
- Describe growth optimum of microorganisms and understand the influence of environmental factors (e.g., temperature, pH and nutrients) on microbial growth
- Contrast beneficial, pathogenic and indicator organisms and give examples of microorganisms in each group in water systems
Compare planktonic and sessile mode of growth and discuss the advantages for microorganisms of living in a biofilm
Competences
Topics
Teaching methods and study activities
Lectures, individual exercises, group exercises, lab work, self-study, homework assignments.
137.5 hours of work for the student
Resources
Course materials are primarily based on lectures notes and video materials that are made available for the student directly in the course at Itslearning.
Evaluation
Examination
Exam prerequisites:
Course participation min 75%.
If the exam prerequisites are not met, the student must submit written answers to assignments on the subject from each of the missed lectures in order to be eligible for the re-examination. These assignments are scheduled after the regular examination.
Type of exam:
Written exam in total 4 hours, composed of two parts:
1-hour multiple choice and 3 hours written exam
External assessment.
Tools allowed:
No material aids allowed during 1-hour multiple choice exam
All material aids allowed during 3-hours written exam
Re-exam:
Equal to the ordinary exam.
Grading criteria
Grading based on the Danish 7-point scale.
Additional information
Responsible
Ditte Andreasen Søborg
Valid from
8/1/2025 12:00 AM
Course type
Keywords
Water quality, chemistry, microbiology</div>